LUCANIA, Herakleia. Circa 390-340 BC. AR Nomos (23mm, 7.81 g, 5h). Head of Athena right, wearing triple-pendant earring, pearl necklace, and crested Attic helmet decorated with Skylla hurling a stone; Δ/Κ/Φ to right / Herakles standing facing, upper torso turned right, wrestling with the Nemean Lion; club and ΚΑΛ to left, |-HPAKΛHIΩN to right; between Herakles' legs, owl standing right, head facing. Work 38 (same dies); Van Keuren 50; HN Italy 1377; SNG ANS 63 = Sartiges 28 (same dies); SNG Lloyd 272 (same obv. die); Gillet 125; McClean 824 (same dies); Ward 44 (same dies). Even light tone, with luster in protected areas. Good VF. Well centered on a broad flan. Exceptionally complete for issue. Fine style, and better than the Triton XVII, lot 12 example that hammered at $11,000.

From the Ancient Miniature Art Collection.

This coin is illustrated in the forthcoming book by H.B. Andersen, Apollo to Apollo: The Hunt for the Divine and Eternal Beauty.